A long-term time series of plankton records collected by the continuous plankton recorder (CPR) Survey in the northeast Atlantic indicates an increased occurrence of Cnidaria since 2002. In the years 2007 ... [more ▼]

A long-term time series of plankton records collected by the continuous plankton recorder (CPR) Survey in the northeast Atlantic indicates an increased occurrence of Cnidaria since 2002. In the years 2007 and 2008, outbreaks of the warm-temperate scyphomedusa, Pelagia noctiluca, appeared in CPR samples between 45°N to 58°N and 1°W to 26°W. Knowing the biology of this species and its occurrence in the adjacent Mediterranean Sea, we suggest that P. noctiluca may be exploiting recent hydroclimatic changes in the northeast Atlantic to increase its extent and intensity of outbreaks. In pelagic ecosystems, Cnidaria can affect fish recruitment negatively. Since P. noctiluca is a highly venomous species, outbreaks can also be detrimental to aquaculture and make bathing waters unusable, thus having profound ecological and socio-economic consequences. [less ▲]

We consider randomization schemes of the Chow-Liu algorithm from weak (bagging, of quadratic complexity) to strong ones (full random sampling, of linear complexity), for learning probability density models in the form of mixtures of Markov trees. Our empirical study on high-dimensional synthetic problems shows that, while bagging is the most accurate scheme on average, some of the stronger randomizations remain very competitive in terms of accuracy, specially for small sample sizes. [less ▲]

Surfactants constitute an important class of compounds with a lot of applications, especially in the food and beverage industries (emulsion forming and stabilization, antiadhesive and antimicrobial ... [more ▼]

Surfactants constitute an important class of compounds with a lot of applications, especially in the food and beverage industries (emulsion forming and stabilization, antiadhesive and antimicrobial activities)1. With the prospect of synthesising new active compounds, white biotechnology offers efficient tools. Indeed, the use of enzymes as biocatalysts provides an interesting synthetic route in comparison to the chemical way that often requires high reaction temperatures and suffers from a lack of specificity, resulting in complex mixtures. Among all the biocatalysts available, lipases represent a class of industrial interest 2,3. In parallel, the starting material is also an important parameter : due to the depletion of petroleum reserves, its ever increasing price and various environmental aspects, the use of renewable or biomass resources is inevitable. Within the frame of a biorefinery project, we focused on the lipase-assisted modification of uronic acids. These carbohydrates can be obtained from lignocellulosic material, and, in the presence of fatty alcohols, the Candida antarctica lipase B catalyses the synthesis of amphiphilic compounds. Owing to the initial conditions used and the addition of co-solvents, we optimized the synthesis of these bio-based potential surfactants, and obtained a panel of various structures depending to the acyl acceptor used. The poster will present the details of these syntheses. [less ▲]

This article analyzes the dual process occurring in the field of Fair Trade organizations (FTOs) in Belgium. On the one hand, there has been a gradual diversification of the organizational landscape over ... [more ▼]

This article analyzes the dual process occurring in the field of Fair Trade organizations (FTOs) in Belgium. On the one hand, there has been a gradual diversification of the organizational landscape over time from pioneering volunteer-based non-profit organizations to a broader array including cooperatives, group structures, businesses and individual entrepreneurs exclusively devoted to FT. On the other hand, a process of networking is currently taking place among the various types of FTOs in the context of the creation of a Belgian Fair Trade Federation (BFTF). Drawing on neo-institutional theory, including institutional entrepreneurship, this article examines how and why these two processes have taken place. A qualitative field study in the Belgian FT sector, including interviews with 15 FTOs, offers rich empirical material which illustrates the diverse patterns of these organizations. Based on the observed combinations of different variables among Belgian FTOs, a taxonomy reflecting diverse means of conceiving and organizing FT activity is suggested. The different categories of FTOs and the evolution of these categories over time seem linked to the broader institutional evolutions of FT at the international as well as at the Belgian level. Finally, several factors are reviewed to explain why the diversity among Belgian FTOs has not been an obstacle to their collaboration. [less ▲]

Based on a participative and experimental methodology, this paper proposes a set of variables able to qualify the level of sustainability of emerging inter-organizational governance practices. These ... [more ▼]

Based on a participative and experimental methodology, this paper proposes a set of variables able to qualify the level of sustainability of emerging inter-organizational governance practices. These variables are also action levers allowing to reach new social compromises inside inter-organizational partnerships that are balanced and durable. [less ▲]

We are facing a real technical revolution in radiation oncology. The radiation oncologist is pushed by the industry to implement rapidly new and "high-tech" therapeutic modalities. All of the technical ... [more ▼]

We are facing a real technical revolution in radiation oncology. The radiation oncologist is pushed by the industry to implement rapidly new and "high-tech" therapeutic modalities. All of the technical improvements are obviously aiming at an increase in the therapeutic index. However, one should be cautious before implementing on a large scale those technical innovations as no one really knows neither what the possible impact is on medical outcome (efficacy, toxicity and risk), nor what the economical consequences will be. It is our duty as radiation oncologists to make a comprehensive estimation of the impacts in order to be able to set up guidelines for use that are both ethical and in respectful of human dignity. [less ▲]